>>5321926>>5323422{Art: Jane Wena}
“<span class="mu-i">Aloha</span>, cousins!”
The fishers stand on guard. They’re on the older side, raids from other tribes are burnt in their memory.
“I am Lono, Captain of the Great Fleet, here with gifts of bounty!”
The Guard present the Muli with the hard material.
As part of the deal to make the fleet, the Ahi were to receive the smallest portion of the treasure.
Even this small Muli group is owed a fair amount. The fishers marvel at the firmness and shine of their gifts.
“I’m sure you can make plenty of fish hooks with that.”
They ignore you as they share the material and store it in sacks.
“Ermm. Okay. So. I am running for Axeholder of the Island. I know our tribes haven’t always gotten along.”
<span class="mu-r">pff</span>
Okay, a scoff. At least they’re talking now. Sort of.
“But I want you to know as Axeholder, I will look out for you the same as I did my crew. Tell me, how can I help?”
<span class="mu-r">If it’s “help” like your sister did we don’t want it.</span>
“You mean the tribute.”
<span class="mu-r">Tribute? It’s bondage. I raised my daughter to row <span class="mu-i">Daunbilo’s</span> back, not to toil in the mud for Taya pigs.</span>
“I can see how that’s frustrating.”
<span class="mu-r">Frustrating?! Her kids might never see a boat.</span>
“If Norodom wins she’ll demand tribute in land. <span class="mu-i">Damballah</span> would just be another treasure in her vault.”
The fisher points at you.
<span class="mu-r">Don’t do that. Treat us like mud and tell us to thank you for it because the other side’s worse.</span>
The crowd of fishers riles in agreement and anger.
<span class="mu-r">You might think us ignorant savages but we hear the news too. Marching along the Island with an army like a Big Man, calling yourself King. If you think you can buy us with this.</span>
They throw a sac of the material to the ground.
<span class="mu-r">You may as well leave.</span>
Nizax stands between you and the crowd.
<span class="mu-b"> We should leave, captain.</span>
<span class="mu-r"><span class="mu-i">Sumatin,</span> does your Ahi master feed you scraps like the good pet you are?</span>
Nizax grips their spear tightly. For someone as stoic as them, it may as well be a scream.
“Hey, everyone calm down. Look, I get it. You’ve been screwed around by people that think they’re better than you your whole life. But I promise you, this...”
You point to the <span class="mu-i">mahiole</span> on your head.
“Means I work for you, not the other way around. So again, what do you need?”
